Doburoku, a traditional sake made from fermented soybeans, is passed down from generation to generation! Upside-down guardian dogs welcome you at Amanohikagehimine Shrine, the second shrine in Noto Province.

  • Ishikawa
  • Experience Gifu
Amanohinohimine Shrine
At the foot of Mt. Ishidou in Nakanoto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, lies the Amehikagehime Shrine, a historic shrine with a history of over 2,000 years.
Torii gate of Amanohinohime Shrine

Doburoku, which has been passed down from generation to generation

Amehikagehime Shrine is dedicated to Omiwa no Kami, the ancestral god of sake brewing, and sake brewing has been handed down from generation to generation. The muddy sake brewed in the shrine's Mikuriya (a building used to prepare offerings to the gods) is offered at the Doburoku Festival on December 5 and served to worshipers after the festival.

Of the approximately 80,000 shrines in Japan, only about 30 are licensed to produce doburoku. Of the approximately 80,000 shrines in Japan, only about 30 are licensed to make doburoku, and three of them (Noto Province Ninomiya Shrine, Noto Hinomiya Shrine, and Notobe Shrine) are located in Nakanotomachi. The brewing of "doburoku" for Shinto rituals has been practiced here for centuries, and is still practiced today under license from the National Tax Administration.
Mikuriya with a cedar ball hanging at the entrance

Reversed komainu (guardian dogs) that stand upside down, which is rare in Japan

As you pass through the torii gate, you will see two guardian dogs standing upside down. The pair of A-Un and A-Un are small, but their raised feet are both dignified and adorable, making the visit to the shrine worthwhile.
Torii gate and upside-down komainu (guardian dogs) at Amanohikagehimine Shrine

Dragon-bearded maple" shaped like a dragon

On the left side of the upside-down guardian dogs is a magnificent maple tree. It is said to be called "Ryushyu Maple" because of its dragon-like shape.
Dragon-bearded maple

Mysterious head office

Further along the approach to the shrine, a sacred tree and the head office appear in the cool air. There are also komainu (guardian dogs) sitting in front of the head office. Perhaps because there were no visitors when we visited, the quiet space seemed even more mysterious.
Head office of Amanohinohimine Shrine

Fudodaki Waterfall, the site of the ascetic practices of Shugenja (ascetic practitioners) at Ishidouzan

About a 10-minute drive from the Ama-no-hinomiya Shrine is Fudo-taki Falls, a former site of rough training by the Ishidouzan Shugenja (mountain ascetic practitioners). Since the opening of the waterfall in summer, it has become a popular summer retreat for those seeking cooler temperatures. Visitors can also try their hand at waterfall gyo. Nakanoto Town is also the site where the "oldest rice ball in Japan," a lump of carbonized rice in the shape of a chimaki, was excavated. A replica of it is on display at JR Notobe Station and Roadside Station "Orihime no Sato Nakanoto," so be sure to take a look at it when you visit Amanohinohimizu Shrine.
Fudo Falls

Experience being a priest at a historic shrine

Anyone can experience being a Shinto priest at Amehikagehime Shrine.
Experience of being a priest (courtesy: Noto Province Ninomiya Amanohin Hime Shrine)

An example of participation from 8:00 a.m.

First, you will learn how to become a priest and clean the shrine grounds. Cleaning is also an important Shinto ritual. After cleaning, breakfast is served. Before and after the meal, recite waka poems and give thanks for the food!

After breakfast, we will practice the shuunin (words to be performed to the gods by the priests serving at the ceremony) and the manners of the ritual events. After the practice, we change into the costume of a priest. Wearing the costume creates a sense of tension. After preparing ourselves mentally, it is time for the service to begin! The ritual service begins with the Ho-Tsuko (drum beating). The ho-tsudo is the sounding of the taiko drum to signal the start of the service. After that, the ritual service consists of the performance of the rehearsed ritual prayer, purification, and a series of other activities.

At the end of the ritual, participants will receive a certificate of completion, a scepter, and an amulet that they purified themselves as a souvenir! The experience of being a Shinto priest is a valuable experience that also allows you to feel Japanese culture once again.
Scene of purification (courtesy of Noto Province Ninomiya Amanohagami Shrine)

Experience information

Period: All year round (some days are not available, such as days of shrine events and festivals)
Reservation required: 1 month in advance
Fee: 10,000 yen
Duration: 4 hours
Experience time: 7:00 - 20:00 *Consultation required for experience time within the stated hours
Number of participants: Up to 5 people per day
*For more information, contact Noto Kunin Ninomiya Ama-no-Hinomiya Shrine ( (0767-76-0221) for more information.

Full moon and new moon days only! Shrine rituals at night

On the full and new moon days of each month, a Shinto ritual is performed at 20:00 pm. Lights in the shrine are turned off, and purification and tamagushi worship are performed in a fantastic atmosphere of flickering candlelight. The samadokoto, didgeridoo (an Aboriginal brass instrument), crystal bowls, and other musical instruments are played to create a relaxing atmosphere unique to the night.
Ceremony (courtesy of Amanohinomimi Shrine, Ninomiya, Noto Province)

Moon Water", water bathed in the light of the full and new moon

Water bathed in the light of the full and new moons, known as "moon water," is given as a souvenir to those who wish to receive it (advance reservation required. (Reservations are required in advance and an initial fee of 500 yen is required.) Moon Water in a glass blue bottle is very mysterious.
Blue Bottle (Courtesy of Amanohikage-no-Miya Shrine, Noto Province)

Feel the history of Nakanoto

We introduced Amanohinohime Shrine, which has a different charm from other shrines. We hope you will visit Amanohikagehimizu Shrine to experience being a priest or to participate in the shrine's festivities.
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